Indicator



A. L.. Sol-1M lJune 9, 1925.

INDICATOR.

2 Sheets-Sheet l FiledSept. 12, 1924 :11d/vanto@ v 2 SheetSeSheet 2 A. L. SOHM INDICATOR Filed Sept.. 12, 19'24 June 9, 1925.

flllll Patented .lune 9, 1925.,

UNITED STATES inten PATENT oErlcE.

ALFRED L. .SOHIVL OF CI-XIICAGO, ILLIOIS.

INDICATOR.

Application filed September 12, 1924i Serial No. 737,376.

- motor vehicle cooling systems to indicate fluid pressures within the radiator due to abnormal thermal conditions of the engine and further adapted to condense water vapors and return them to the radiator in the form of water to minimize loss of water in the radiator. y

In a copending application, Serial No. (364,985, filed September QG, 192B, I have shown and described a generally similar indicating device wherein I employ a cylinder and a piston mounted therein and adapted to be moved by l'luid pressure in an automobile radiator to provide a warning signal when the motor becomes overheated and to indicate other abnormal conditions ofthe engine such as cracked cylinder heads, leaky cylinder head gaskets and leaky glands on the intake sides of the water circulating pumps. In this device a horizontal dia phragm is provided beneath the piston and this diaphragm has a central opening serving as a valve seat adapted to bev closed. by a float valve to prevent water from flowing upwardly into the' cylinder undercertain conditions from whence it is blown out-v wardly through the whistle employed vas Yan audible indicator.

The device shownin my copending` ap plication also yemploys a condensation chamber surroiimding the -cylinder and comlnunicating therewith just above the diaphragm whereby water vapors flowing into the con dcnsation jacket will be condensed and flow back into the radiator through the valve seat in the diaphragm. I have foundthat when the radiator is substantially completely filledV with water when the engine is relatively cold the `expansion of the water causes it to rise into the float chamber causing the float valve to close communication with the interior of the cylinder whereupon pressure built up by the continued expansion of the water will open a spring pressed check valve carried by the lower end of the overflow pipe, thus permitting escape of the excessive water whereby the device is permitted to perform its normal functions. It has been found, however, that when the device is operating normally, water collecting on the upper face of the diaphragm due to the action of the condensing jacket will be blown outwardly through the whistle in small quantities when the engine becomes abnormally hot due to clogged radiatory tubes, etc., whereby a considerable steam pressurewill be built up in the radiator.

It is an import-ant object of the present invention to provide a-device of the above mentioned character wherein water of condensation will be returned directly to the radiator without passing through the opening in the float valve thus preventing they water from being spattered over the hood of the automobile when an excessively high pressure is present in the radiator.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent duringthe course of the following description.

In the accompanying drawings I have shown one embodiment of the invention. In this showing,

`Figure l is a front elevation of the device shown in place on an automobile radiator, parts being shown in section,

Figure?l is a detached perspective view of the float valve and associated element-s,

Figure 3 is a 'horizontal sectional view through the.v indicator cylinder taken through the bypass therein,

Figure fl is a central vertical sectional view through the device, A

Figure 5 is a section taken lon line 5-5 of Figure Li,

Figure 6 is a View similar to Figure t 'taken at right angles thereto, and,

Figure 7 is a` fragmentary perspective view of the locking mechanism.

Referring to the drawings the numeraljl() designates an automobile radiator having an internally threaded filling neck 1l and the usual overflow pipe 12, rI`he overflow pipe 12 is provided with a combined check valve and whistle designated as a whole by the numeral 413.V 'Asshown, a ball check valve 14 is normally seated against a valve lseat 15 by a spring 17. *When the valve 14 isopened under certain conditions to be described, communication is established be? tween the upper endofthe .j radiator and a whistle' 18 to aiorda relatively loud audible signal. f Referring to Figures 1, 4 and 6, the numeral 19 designates a substantially cylindri-4 be described and is further provided upon' opposite sides with pairs of ears 23 and 24.

Hinge pins 25 and. 26 pass through the ears 23 and 24 respectively as clearly shown inr Figures 4 and 5.

As shown in Figures 4 and 6 a base mem- `ber 27 is mounted above the member 19 and is provided upon one side with an apertured depending ear 28 ladapted to receive the hinge pin 25 whereby the base 27 `will be hingedly connected with the supporting member 19. Th-Y opposite side of the base meinber is provided with a pair of ears 29 arranged directlyover the ears 24 as shown in Figure 4. A screw 30 extends 'upwardly between the ears -24 and 28 and is apertured at its lower end to pivotally receive the pin 26 as shown in Figure4. A locking member 31 is arranged outwardly of the ears 24 and 29 and is provided with lower extensions 32 .which arev alsoadapted toipivotally receive the pin 26 as shown in Fi ure A7. The locking memberl is provide at its upper end with an inwardly extending projection 33 apertured for. the passage of the-screw 30. A nut 34 is arranged on the upper end' of the-screw 'andis adaptedto engage the upper face of the projection 33. The projection 33 ispreferably resilient and adapted to snugly engage the upper faces ofthe ears 29. The base member' 27 is provided with'a Avertically extending cylinder 35 which may be secured to the base memberin any suitable manner. The cylinder 35 is provided at-its" upper end with an external annular flange 36 and a cylindrical jacket surrounds the cylinder.. in snug contact with the ilange 36, the lower end of the jacket being received in an annular groove 38 formed in the base 27. it willl be=apparent thatan annular spa-ce 39 will be provided between the jacket 37 `and the cylinder 35 and this space forms a condensing chamber to be described. The base member 27 is provided with a plurality inwardly extending portion 41 centrally v apertured as at' 42 to provide a valve seat. A cage' 43 is arranged within the member 19 beneath the valve seat 42. The cage is preferably cylindrical in shape and is provided at its upper endwith a flange 44vadapted to contact with the lower face of the base 2 7 inwardly of the openings therein; Screws 45 are provided for securing the cage 43 in position -as shown in Figure 5. The cage 43 is rprovided with a bottom portion 46 having a central opening provided with a screen 47 l to prevent foreign matter from the radiator from flowing -upwardly into the cage. A valve support 48 is arranged within the cage and is provided with a plurality of upwardly extending knobs v49v adapted to' sup- "port a float valve 50 preferably formed of thin sheet-metal. The float 50 is provided on its upper face with an upwardly projecting knob 51 serving as a valve adapted to engage the seat 42 under certain conditions to be described.

A piston 52l isr mounted to" reciprocate within the cylinder 35 and is 'provided with a ring 53 which engages the inner wall of the cylinder.` The piston 52 is supported above Vthe valve seat 42 by means of lugs 54 carried Aby Vthe inward extension 41 of the base 27 whereby any steam present within the ra- .diator may freely .flow upwardly into the cylinder beneath the piston when the valve seat 42 is opened. A hollow piston rod 55 extends upwardly from the piston and is preferably integral' therewith as shown in Figures 4 and 6. The piston rod 55 is provided intermediate Aits ends with a port 56 adapted tn zifford communication between the interior of the piston rod and the inic- `rior of the cylinder 35 above the piston therein. The' cylinder is provided with a head 57 having a. central aperture 58 slidably receiving the upper end of thepiston rod. The upper face of the head 57 is preferably colored'red to provide a'visible signal,to be described. A spring 59 surrounds4 `the piston rod and the upper end of the spring is adapted to engage beneath the head As shown in Figures 3 and 4 the innenwall of the cylinder 35 is provided with a bypass 60 which is slightly longer vertically than the width of the ring 53 surrounding the piston whereby the cylinder on opposite sides of the piston 4willjhe in communication when the latter moves to its up iermost position as shown in dotted lines in ligure 4,

57 when the piston nio-ves upwardly a prov i vdetermined distance.

` to the piston rod above the head 57 as shown in Figures 4 and 6. This plate is aperturcd as at 62 to permit steam to flow outwardly of the device in a. manner to be described. A cap 63 is mountedl on the plate 6l to be supported thereby and a whistle 64 is arrangedwithin the cap and connected to the upper end of the hollow piston rod to be actuated ,by steam flowing upwardly therethrough."

The operation of the device is as follows: Wvhen it is desired to fill the radiator, the nut 34 is loosened and pulled outwardly thus releasing the projection 36 of the locking memberl from` the ears 29. The base 27 and' all the mechanism connected therewith then may be swung u pwardly and backwardly about the pivot p-in whereby the radiator may be filled through the member 19 as will be obvious. In Figure 4 of the drawings I have illustrated in dotted lines the position of the device when opened vto permit the radiator to be filled. After the radiator is filled the device is' closed and the locking member forced into place with\ the projection 33 engaging the upper faces of the ears'29- The nut 34 is then screwed downwarid'ly to engage the projection 8 3 causing .the latter to tightly grip against the ears 29 to maintain the device in closed position. It will be apparent that the engagement of the base 27 with the packing washer 22 provides a'leal{proof joint to prevent the escape of water or steam outwardly between the base 27 and the supporting member 19.

In filling the radiator itis desirable to leave suiiicielrt space: above the level of the water to permit the water to expandfunder the influence of' the heat of the engine so that the water will-not flow upwardly into the cage '43. However if the radiator is completely filledl the expansion of the water will seat the valve 5l against the seat 42 whereupon continued expansion of' the water will create pressure within the radiator t-o unseat the valve l5 at the lower end of the overflow pipe thus permitting escape of ex-l cess water.

During the operation of' the device water vapors will be presentwithin the chamber 39 and thesewater vapors will 'be condensed and returned directly to the radiator through 1 the openings 40 thus minimizing loss of water from the radiator as will be obvious. If, during the operation of the engine the latter becomes overheated, steam will be gene-rated within the radiator and will flow upwardly into the cylinde-rbeneath the piston therein. The piston will be raised due to the steam pressure and the cap 63 will be' lifted. sufficiently to uncover the colored cylinder head 57 to provide 'a visible signal. The raising of the piston will continue until the upper end of the spring 59 engages beneath the head 5T whereupon. continued movement ofl the piston will he retarded. It the excessive generation of steam continues the piston will be lifted against the tension of the spring` 59 unt-il the ring 53 is positioned intermedlate the ends of' the bypass 60. Steam then will fiow into the upper end of the cylinder and pass through the opening 56 to the interior of the piston rod and this steam will blow outwardly through the whistle 64 to provide an audible signal. The steam passing through the whistle is permitted to escape to the atn'los phere through the openings 62 in the plate 6l.

It will be apparentthat water of' condem sation from the chamber 39 will flow directly back into the radiator without effect ing .the operation of the moving parts o'i' thetlevicc so that his water will not be blown outwardly through the whistle when an cX- cessively high pressure is present within the radiator. I have found that condensation. of w'ater vapors and steamwithin the chamber 39 takes place at a sutliciently rapid rate to prevent operation of' the piston when the engine is only slightly overheated such as when climbing hills or driving through sand and gravel. Thus I provide a signal which will operate only when an actual overheated condition of the engine is present. I have also found that admission of' explosive gases from the engine into the water jacket due to leaky cylinder head gaskets or cracked cylinder' heads creates sulicient pressure' within the radiator to lift the piston and indicate to the driver of the vehicle that an abnormal condition exists in the engine.

The piston and associated elements are sufficiently light in weight topermit the signal to operate at relatively small pressuresabut it the generation ot steam is so excessive as to be dangerous to the thin tubes of' the radiator' the valve 15 will open to permit escape ot this excess ot pressure. Obviously the tension oft the spring 17 is suehthat the valve l5 is adapted'to open only at higher pressures than those necessary "tor actuating the whistle 64.

It is to be understood that the form ot my invention herewith shown and described` is to be taken as a prel't-rred example of the same and that various changes in the shape, size, andarrangement ot parts may be resorted to` without departing from the spirit of the invent-ion or the scope of the subjoined claims.

`Having described my invention, I claim:

l. A device of the character described comprising a pressure chamber', a movable member therein adapted to be actuated by fluid pressure.v said movable member having a portion adapted to serve as a signal, and a condensing chamber surrounding said lun llO

pressure chamber, said chambers being adapted to separately communicate. with the interior of an automobile radiator.

2. A device 'of the character described comprising a supporting member adapted to be connected with an automobile radiator tocommunicate therewith, a pressure chamber, a movable .member mounted in said pressure chamber and adapted to be actuated by pressure therein, said movable member having a portion adapted to serve as a signal, and a condensing chamber surrounding` saidvprcssure chamber, said chambers being adapted to communicate through separate openings with the interior oitl said supporting member. l

3. A device ot the character described comprising a substantially cylindrical sup-l porting member adapted to communicate with the interior of an automobile radiator, a base member arranged over said supportil member and forming a substantial clov sure therefor, said base member being provided with a central aperture, a pressure chamber arranged above said base, member and communicating through the aperture therein with the interior ot'` said supporting member, a movable member arranged in said pressure `chamber andadapted to be 3U actuated by fluid pressure therein, said movable member having a portion adapted to serve as an indicator, and a condensing chamber surrounding` said pressure chamber, said ybase being provided with a second .35 aperture affording communication between said condensing chamber and the interioi` ot' said supporting member. e

4. A device of the character described comprising a substantially cylindrical supporting member adapted to communicate with the `interior of an automobile radiatoi, a base member arranged over said supporting member and forming a substantial closure therefor, said base member beingl provided with a central aperture forming a lvalve seat, a substantially cylindrical valve cage arranged in said supporting member and spaced from the walls thereof, a float valve arranged in said cage and adapted to engage said seat, a pressure 'chamber arranged above said base member and comnninicating through said valve seat with the interior of said supporting member, a movable member arranged in said pressure chamber and adaptedto be actuated by inid pressure therein, said movable member having a portion adapted to serve as an indicator, and a condensing chamber surrounding said pressure chamber, said base being provided with asecond aperture arranged between said valve cage and the walls ot' said supporting member to afford communi'- cation between said condensing chamber and the interior of said supporting member.

5. A device of the character described through which said Acondensing chamber is adapted to communicate with the interior of the automobile radiator.

6. A device of the character 'described comprising a pressure chamber provided with a base arranged over the filling opening of an automobile radiator,`s aid base being provided with a valve seat having an opening therethrough to afford communication between the interior of the radiator and said pressure chamber. a signal operable upon a predetermined increase in pressure in said pressure chamber, a float valve arranged below said base and adapted to engage said valve seat, anda condensing chamber surrounding said pressure chamber, the base otl said pressure chamber being provided with a second opening through which said condensing chamber is adapted to. communicate with the interior of the automobile radiators` 7. A device of the character described vcomprising a pressure cylinder, a base secured tofsaid cylinder and extending outwardly therebeyond, said base being adapted `to be arranged over the lfilling opening` of an automobile radiator and provided with an opening toV afford comiminication between the interior ofsaid cylinder and the interior of the radiator, a piston mounted to reciprocate in said cylinder, a signal operable upon movement ot said piston, and a sleeve surrounding said cylinder and spaced therefrom intermediate its ends to form a condensingchamber,v said sleeve being. secured to `said basa-'said base being provided with a second opening arranged outwardly of said cylinder' and adapted to afford communication between said condensing chamber and thc interior of the automobile radiator.

8. A device of the character described, comprising a pressure cylinder', a base secured to said cylinder and extending outwardly therebeyond, .said base beingadapted to be arranged over the filling opening of an automobile radiator and provided Vwith a valve seat having an opening therethrough to alordcommunication between the interior of said cylinder and the interior e of theradiator, a piston mounted to reci procate 1n said cylinder` 'a signal operable upon `movement ot said piston, a sleeve surrounding said cylinder and spaced therefrom in- (chamber, said sleeve being secured to termediate its ends to form a condensn sal base, said base being provided with a second opening arranged outwardly of said cylinder and adapted to afford communication between said condensing chamber and the interior of the automobile radiator, and a oat valve arranged beneath said base and adapted to engage the lvalve 'seat therein. I l0 In testimony whereof I affix my 'signal ture in presence of two Witnesses,

4 ALFRED L. SOHM. Witnesses:

W. G. JACOBS,

)HARLES L. UPLEGGER. 

